New face enters 18th District race

A fourth candidate has entered the race for the open seat in the 18th Congressional District.. Brad Carter filed to run as Constitution Party candidate.

Karen McDonald

A fourth candidate has entered the race for the open seat in the 18th Congressional District.

Brad Carter, 35, of Peoria, filed this week to run as a Constitution Party candidate for the U.S. House, a seat that’s being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria.

However, Carter did not fulfill the signature requirement for the office, and if his candidacy is contested by 5 p.m. Monday, he will be booted from the race.

"I can not withstand a challenge," he said, adding he received "thousands" fewer signatures than the required number.

Carter, who works in the warehouse for Morton Metalcraft — a metal fabricating company and supplier of firms including John Deere and Caterpillar — said he wants to end free trade policies he thinks are hurting American industry.

"I’m tired of exporting American jobs. I’m tired of American businesses having to compete with companies that are subsidized by foreign governments. We need to put the American worker and American businesses on an even playing field," Carter said.

Carter ran unsuccessfully for an at-large Peoria City Council seat last year.

"I’m just a regular guy that has regular problems, and I see the issues slightly different," Carter said. "As a guy that has to work for a living, I’m thinking about the economy. I don’t think either of the candidates have the right view on how to help the economy."

Other contenders for the post are State Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, Democrat Colleen Callahan and Green Party nominee Sheldon Schafer. They all will appear on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.